Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

In speaking to the motion, it needs to be understood that any reason for rushing this through and not doing as standing orders presume in going through the normal procedures is something that only makes any logical sense if it can get to the Senate tomorrow. The Senate's not sitting tomorrow, so exactly what is the purpose in rushing this through? There is no logic at all in not just going through the normal practice of the standing orders.

Leave has been sought as a form of extra cooperation. I've got to say, if you're seeking an extra layer of cooperation in this House, that cooperation is being sought by member after member who time after time has voted that members of the opposition be no further heard. Every single time! And then, when it's been done back to them, the indignation has been spectacular. The indignation of those opposite, having voted to shut down any voices that are not their own, and then they come here saying: 'Oh, please, can't we have some cooperation? Please, can't we get a bill through today rather than do the third reading tomorrow so we can push it across to a Senate that isn't even on for a number of weeks?' You can't exactly second a bill to an estimates committee. You can't exactly rush it through today and think it's going to make any difference at all.

I know they're cranky because they've had to sit in the chamber, and they say, 'Oh, why are you being so mean with quorum calls?' You know, there's this thing called the Constitution. The quorum requirement is not in the standing orders. The quorum requirement is not even in Practice. It's as fundamental as the Australian Constitution, and they are devastated that it's being enforced.

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